Buying glasses in Thailand

[Dan and Cherry]

Is it a good idea? Or am I better off going to Specsavers?

I would presume that they are cheaper in Thailand. I will also have a recent prescription before I go and so shouldn't need a test.

I don't mind having copy frames as long as they are good quality and the right price .

Anybody got any recommendations for good value opticians with a good selection of frames? Bangkok or Surin would be best. I will also be going to Samui but expect it would be more expensive there.

[N Barton]

Don't know if its a particularly good comparison but the little wifey got some in Pattaya last year and they were definately no cheaper than Vision Express nevermind Specsavers

[bristolgeoff]

you get a eyesight test anyway if you buy glasses in thailand.but bring the prescription along too.you may get a designer pair cheaper in thailand too.it is like dentist can be cheaper in thailand.
you have to check out the prices in both countries before you decide.i got a pair myself in chiang mai that was half price to uk prices.so i think it was a good move to get there

[BigRed]

try http://www.glasses2you.co.uk/index.html or http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/

[michael001]

kanchana and i both have our eyes tested every two years in Bangkok and buy new glasses when needed, also we always buy 15 months worth of contact lenses there for her day use.a fantastic saving compared to uk prices.

[duster]

It's so cheap to get a full eye examination and prescription in Thai at the specialist optical hospital in BKK that its worth thinking about. Many of the opticians who practice in shops are not really qualified and have problems reading prescriptions in english. Best bet is to buy out of the tourist hotspots and get same designer glasses at half price of Pattaya, BKK and Hua Hin or Chiang Mai, but only after you have had full check up and Thai prescription.

[KhunIanB-UK]

Many of the opticians who practice in shops are not really qualified and have problems reading prescriptions in english

Don't believe all you read in the newspapers or have you done a survey By the above are you referring to opticians in the UK or Thailand?

[robert d]

hi,
i had a free eye test in the uk at dolland and aitchison (work related vdu screens),after i was told i needed bi-focals at a cost of around £100.
i went to thailand with my wife and visited TOP CHAROEN in her home town uthai thani,they did an eye test and with the same result except the glasses would cost £14 they then twisted my arm to upgrade the frame and i payed £21.that was 2 years ago and i still use them.same with my teeth i went to the local "private " dentist who had an ultra modern practice and i had new crown with peg done in 6 days for £80 and two fillings for £15,last year i went tyo local hospital and had 1 filling and clean for £8 .

[Gary & Nok]

Nok got a pair of glasses in Pattaya (2 years ago this coming Christmas). Eye test and glasses/lenses cost a total of 3000 Baht which at the time was under £50.
I considered this to be very good compared to UK prices and wanted to get a pair myself but they did not have any to fit my fathead

[Dan and Cherry]

Thanks for the replies.

Got my free eye test with D&A on Saturday and will see what happens. Never had glasses before but probably only because I've been putting off getting my eyes tested for the last 10 years. Think i'll probably get a pair of glasses from Specsavers and will then wait until holiday in December to see whether I can pick up a second pair at a good price in Surin. And maybe some cheap ones from Pratunam market just in case.

[Gary & Nok]

Originally posted by Dan and Cherry:
Think i'll probably get a pair of glasses from Specsavers and will then wait until holiday in December to see whether I can pick up a second pair..

Don't Specsaver give you a second pair anyhow these days? Seem to have seen lots of adverts about it recently.

[Dan and Cherry]

Think it depends on the prices. They've also got another offer where they give you reactions lenses free. Think I might go for that instead as I would rather not have to carry 2 pairs around with me when it's sunny. I'll see what's available and what they have to say.

[Gary & Nok]

Originally posted by Dan and Cherry:
Think it depends on the prices. They've also got another offer where they give you reactions lenses free. Think I might go for that instead as I would rather not have to carry 2 pairs around with me when it's sunny. I'll see what's available and what they have to say.

Know what you mean, I sit all day on the beach with my prescription sunglasses on, nip in to the bar for a quick few before going back for a shower and before you know it I’m the idiot sat there at night with his sunglasses on , should have gone to Specsavers

[duster]

Originally posted by KhunIanB-UK:

Many of the opticians who practice in shops are not really qualified and have problems reading prescriptions in english

Don't believe all you read in the newspapers or have you done a survey By the above are you referring to opticians in the UK or Thailand?

That's what the opthalmic surgeon at the eye hospital told me, I'm guessing she didn't get that info from the Bangkok Post. Same is true of many dentists...I know because my Thai brother in Law is a dentist. Again he didn't read it in the papers. Only thing papers are good for is wrapping fish and chips and even that is on the way out.

[ddwjg]

One thing to bare in mind, is if there is any complication prescribed with your eyesight. I bought my last specs in an opticians at Big C in Pattaya. I wanted varifocals, as that was what I was using previously. The lenses alone cost me about 200 pounds.(About the same as UK) I was going to get light reaction lenses, but the extra cost made it ridiculously expensive. I don't know what they used as lens material, but within a year they had become fogged. It was like looking through a mist. In Thailand you have no recourse. Its 'buyer beware'. At least in the UK, you can go back and complain. I am now wearing my old varifocals from the UK.

Maybe I was just unlucky.

Dave.